IU Bloomington is a big school. That size allows for amazing opportunities and resources, but what good are they if you can’t figure out how to navigate them? This blog is designed to help you create your own IUB path that leads to a successful business career.
Published by Kelley Campus Partnerships, we’ll cover majors outside the business school that can lead to amazing careers in business, feature IU alumni profiles, and highlight campus and community resources.
Want to amplify your IU undergraduate degree with strategic business acumen? Discover the Kelley Accounting Certificate. You’ll develop financial skills relevant to any industry—mobilizing career opportunities from tech to nonprofit, or wherever your passion takes you. Keep reading to learn about specific IU degrees that pair particularly well, how the certificate advances your eligibility to earn a Kelley specialized master’s degree, and how you can use it to kickstart CPA preparation:
Level 1: Build a business foundation that gets you farther in your career
Designed for undergraduate students pursuing a major other than business, the Accounting Certificate equips you with technical knowledge and analytical skills necessary to make informed business decisions, interpret financial data, and effectively communicate financial insights—skills you’ll use whatever career path you choose. You’ll gain an understanding of accounting principles, from a foundational level to advanced topics in financial reporting, managerial accounting, analysis, taxation, and auditing.
“The Accounting Certificate is essentially the accounting major minus the electives,” said Joe Schroeder, chairperson of Graduate Accounting Programs, a professor of accounting, and PwC Faculty Fellow at the top-ranked Kelley School of Business.
Schroeder suggests students pair the certificate with the public financial management major through the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs or the informatics major through the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering for particularly career-winning combinations.
“These are basically business-designed degrees—and when paired with the Accounting Certificate, you’re taking essentially everything an accounting major would be required to complete,” he said.
Level 2: Add a career-boosting master’s credential
Schroeder highly recommends the Accounting Certificate as an exceptional entry to earning a Kelley master’s degree—and ultimately to an accounting career. The certificate satisfies all accounting course prerequisites for the Kelley Master of Science in Accounting with Data and Analytics (MSADA) program.
“Add the one-year Kelley MSADA to either of these degrees from O’Neill or Luddy and you’re combining Kelley with other top-ranked IU schools for a powerful one-two punch,” Schroeder said. “Having a pair of degrees combining Kelley and O’Neill, or Kelley and Luddy, means employers will see you as multifaceted with a credibility of varied perspectives. You’ll graduate in five years prepared to be an accountant and ready to offer a lot more value to the firms.”
Level 3: Launch CPA preparation on your path to CPA licensure
“When you earn the Kelley MSADA, you’re eligible to sit for the CPA exam,” said Schroeder. “With the 150 credit hour pathway, you can start sitting for the CPA exam during the spring semester of the MSADA program, then knock out the rest over the summer.”
Above and beyond CPA preparation, the MSADA is about how to get experience in accounting. You’ll have opportunities for experiential hands-on learning, dive deep into data analytics, and develop a strategic command of artificial intelligence in the context of accounting.
If you’re weighing the prospects of a graduate degree, Schroeder offers clear advice: “You’re going to need a master’s credential at some point in your career, so it’s not a question of if, but when,” he explained. “Kelley has always been about value creation—and the MSADA is a value-enhancing degree,” Schroeder said.
Ready to launch the career-boosting benefits of the Kelley Accounting Certificate? Complete the Business Certificate request form to start the process. Questions about the Kelley MSADA? Reach out to us at ksbgrad@iu.edu and we’ll be in touch.
From guest contributor Matthew R. Kerchner, Associate Academic Advisor, Advising and Major Exploration Services.
Are you overwhelmed by the majors and minors available at IU? Not sure about the path you are taking? EDUC-X 152: Making Major Decisions allows you a supportive space (in-person, small class of 19 students) to investigate the many different paths you can take academically that lead to a successful career in business.
Every class, I tend to think deeper about what I want to do in the future and I feel like this class is challenging me to focus more. -Former student
Not only will you examine what values and priorities guide your career goals and vision, but you will learn how to deploy strategies that turn majors, minors, certificates, micro-credentials, volunteering, spring break and even Gen Eds into vital assets. You will construct a professional identity that stands out in a competitive job market.
The course also provides the opportunity to explore the history of the profession you are interested in, the people and events that have shaped how this profession has evolved over time, and the many various trends that impact how it is being practiced today and where it’s headed. You also learn how best to future-proof yourself, developing a growth-mindset that encourages continuous learning, building essential skills, and actively shaping your career path to thrive in an ever-evolving world.
Here’s what students are saying:
Tomas de la Rosa, MSADA’25 knows how to perform well under pressure. As a classical violist, he participated in the Aspen Music Festival, won the grand prize and BIPOC awards at the inaugural Glass City Chamber Music Competition in Toledo, and studied intensively under the Grammy Award-winning Pacifica Quartet at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Halfway through his master’s degree in music, Tomas considered pivoting to the top-ranked Kelley School of Business to pursue an additional master’s program in accounting and how it might set him up for long-term career success.
By earning Kelley’s MS in Accounting with Data and Analytics (MSADA),Tomas expanded his career possibilities and gained accounting expertise to be equally at ease in both the corporate world and the performing arts. Read his personal insights on how you can launch an exciting career powered by a Kelley MSADA:
Add business expertise to any undergraduate degree
“I’ve always had a significant interest in technology and using my analytical mindset. My life experiences helped me build approaches to problem-solving and to craft flexible solutions in ways that could be expanded upon to solve future problems. I thoroughly enjoy the process of learning and mastering topics. I want to know how things work and why. The logic behind processes is just as important to me, if not more, than the end product. Ultimately, it’s my enjoyment of the creation and application of knowledge that drives my life. I decided to pursue the Kelley MSADA to complement my musical interests and to add business knowledge for the greatest adaptability to anything the future has in store.”
Take graduate accounting courses that prep you with real-world experience
“In conversations with the program, I learned that the MSADA curriculum not only focuses on building upon an accounting foundation, but adds many opportunities for experiential learning. Just as in music, the tools and knowledge of business are only one part of overcoming an obstacle. The best way to cement your understanding and capitalize on your potential is to apply knowledge with purpose to accomplish defined goals—both individually and on a team. Kelley’s commitment to experiential learning, both in the classroom and the real world, convinced me that the MSADA was a degree I wanted to officially pursue.”
Connect with faculty mentors who support your career goals
“MSADA faculty and my colleagues were highlights of my time in the program. I enjoyed each class and learned a tremendous amount. The opportunity to learn from great minds devoted to my success was both inspiring and affirming. Thanks to the support of the faculty, I was always confident that I was on the right path. It was an honor to work alongside classmates who were diligent and supportive, regardless of the task at hand. I had opportunities to go beyond my comfort zone and learn so much more than I expected. Even when the times got tough, the day was always brighter knowing that I would be able to spend time with my colleagues in our many classes together.”
Network with top companies—launch a dynamic accounting career
“I’m incredibly privileged to have secured a position as an incoming auditor at Deloitte in Stamford, Connecticut! This summer I’ll devote much of my time toward preparing for the CPA exam and ensuring I’m as prepared as possible for this next chapter of my life—all this while staying on top of practicing the viola!”
Invest in a one-year graduate degree for a lifetime of career success
“My path towards the MSADA program was not traditional. For my application to be considered, I completed a list of prerequisite accounting courses. This journey—both completing the prerequisites and the whole MSADA program—was more than worth it. Regardless of your undergraduate background, I encourage you to view this as an opportunity to invest in yourself. This program goes by quickly, just a single year with two seven-week mini-semesters per academic semester. The curriculum and structure give you the chance to network, learn, and grow at an exponential pace. You’ll leave the program with tremendous momentum, empowered to shoot for the stars. If you’re interested in pushing yourself and getting prepared for anything the world has to throw at you, I highly recommend you pursue this degree.”
Get where you want to go in your career
The MSADA program is designed to do for you what it did for Tomas de la Rosa—build a bridge from passion to profession. Whether you arrive to the Kelley MSADA from a corporate internship, a business undergraduate program, or the performance hall, you’ll prepare for lasting career success.
Discover how the Kelley MSADA can propel your career trajectory. Contact us to schedule an advising appointment or reach out to us at acctgrad@iu.edu with your questions. We’re eager to talk about your career goals and how the Kelley MSADA can get you where you want to go.
One student’s path to a master’s in finance and a business career
Not every journey to a Kelley School of Business degree looks the same. For Aidan Cunningham, who will graduate with an MS in Finance from Kelley in May 2025, his experience serves as a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to achieve your goals. Beginning his IU education in 2019, Aidan aspired to earn a degree that would lead to a secure job in Indianapolis after graduation. But like many college students, his educational journey had twists and turns he didn’t expect.
Detoured but determined
Beginning as a mathematics student at IU Indianapolis, Aidan said it felt like he was going in the wrong direction, so he dropped out to enroll in a flight program through Vincennes University. He was inspired by his dad, who works for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), to become an air traffic controller and dreamed of soaring to the top. However, after a less-than-ideal experience in the flight program, he decided to reposition himself for success. Though he loved aviation, it no longer aligned with his professional aspirations. Since he already had educational experience at IU, he began exploring the opportunities at the Kelley School of Business in Bloomington. He completed Kelley courses, including I-Core prerequisites, so he could apply for standard admission. But another setback occurred—he didn’t get in.
It was definitely a letdown,” said Aidan. “Not getting in added to the ongoing challenges I had already experienced during undergrad. But I’ve learned that the important thing to do is to not get tunnel vision and to enter through the door that’s available to you in the moment.”
Despite this disappointment, Aidan didn’t waver. He enrolled in IU’s O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs and began studying public finance. While it wasn’t the door he had intended to enter, he recognized the opportunity it provided when he started looking at graduate programs and MS in Finance eligibility. As the only student in Kelley’s MS in Finance program with a background in public finance, Aidan found that his education at O’Neill equipped him with a unique perspective on financial management in government and nonprofit ideologies—areas not typically emphasized in the MSF curriculum. This foundation gave him the tools to approach his MSF experience in a distinct way, enabling him to draw on his diverse education to tackle challenges and opportunities in whatever career path he pursues.
The MSF program appeared to me as the most direct way to get the education I needed,” said Aidan. “I knew that I was going to be challenged but would inevitably come out more knowledgeable and capable to do the work I wanted to do.”
Can you get into finance without a degree in business?
Yes. As Aidan has experienced through the master’s in finance program, Kelley values the resilience and determination of students who’ve forged their own path. Whether your bachelor’s degree is in the arts, sciences, engineering, or—like Aidan—you took a different route during your undergraduate years, Kelley graduate programs welcome the unique perspectives and experiences you bring to the table. Not only does this enhance your experience as a Kelley student, it helps you stand out to future employers.
Having gone through academic hardship, I’ve realized that those challenges can make you more resilient,” said Aidan. “While my journey was difficult—dropping out of two schools and being denied admission to what I thought was next on my plate—I’ve realized that no matter the detour, you’ll end up exactly where you need to be.”
Discover how Kelley’s graduate programs equip you with the tools to succeed, no matter where your journey begins.
Building a strong pathway for career success in business
At Kelley, success isn’t confined to a single route. As Aidan navigated setbacks during his undergraduate years, finding and getting accepted into the MSF program illuminated a pathway uniquely suited to his goals. His journey shows that even when one door closes, another can open to unexpected opportunities.
Since starting his MSF program in the summer of 2024, Aidan has embraced Kelley’s supportive environment, which is designed to help students thrive no matter where they begin. With personalized coursework tailored to his career aspirations and resources like mentorship programs and career services, Aidan has built a pathway that aligns with his vision for the future. One of the pivotal moments in his graduate journey was deciding to run for president of the Graduate Finance Association. After connecting with classmates and understanding their perspectives, Aidan was elected to the position, allowing him to further develop his leadership style and confidence. These experiences have helped him see the possibilities ahead, encouraging him to envision himself reaching the top of his field.
Kelley has shown me that every setback is just a step on the pathway to success,” said Aidan. “With the right support and mindset, I’ve realized that even detours can lead to extraordinary opportunities.”
Learn how to apply to the MSF program.
The Kelley School in Bloomington offers residential, full-time master’s degrees in finance, accounting, information systems, management, and healthcare management. They’re open to all undergraduate majors and most can be completed in as little as one year.
Did you know that Kelley undergraduate admission is a separate process from Kelley graduate program admission?
You don’t typically apply to grad school until the junior or senior year of college, but you can start learning about your options now!
Students from any major at IUB can apply to these programs. Learn about the path of a recent IUB student.
You came to IU with expectations of how you thought your first year would go. Now you’re over halfway through your first semester, and you may be realizing that you don’t love what you’re studying. You’re asking yourself,
“Is this what I want? Am I truly interested in this major? Is this leading me to a path I’m excited to pursue?”
In the last few weeks, I’ve met with several students who have decided that a Kelley degree just isn’t for them. They aren’t enjoying the classes and have realized that they have a passion for the sciences, the arts, advertising, history, public affairs or global studies. They are starting to think they might be in the wrong major. So we’ve met, talked through various options, and identified new possible paths for them to still get to a business career, just not through a Kelley major.
As a pre-business student, you’re likely going to be asked about your parallel path at some point. There are typically three responses to the parallel path question:
Let’s dive into question #2. The parallel path is simply another way for you to meet your career goals. But does the major itself mean you’ll get the career you want? No. There’s more to it than simply pursuing the “right” degree.
From guest contributor Matthew R. Kerchner, Associate Academic Advisor, Advising and Major Exploration Services.
No matter what business pathway you choose at IU, there are two strategic opportunities you can take advantage of to significantly enhance your professional profile and make you a charismatic and distinctive candidate on the job market: the selection of General Education courses and minors.
When choosing either General Education courses or deciding to do a minor, you might want to find one that would allow you to write on your resume “I have used my electives (or “…chose to do a minor”) to educate myself on issues and challenges facing 21st century businesses, specifically (insert topic of the courses/minor you’ve chosen).
Employers in the business sector are seeking candidates with backgrounds in: technology and innovation, environment and sustainability, diversity, and developing a global perspective on business, the economy, and politics. IU has many courses and minors that can arm you with knowledge of these areas, including Global Media, Merchandising, Media and Diversity, Environmental and Sustainability Studies, Information Technology, International Relations, and many more. (more…)
From guest contributor Gabe Sheir, Assistant Director of International Admissions, IU Bloomington.
If you’re interested in getting a master’s degree in business, there are several questions that are important. One question that’s commonly asked is “Should I get an MS degree or an MBA?” Both have their benefits and I’d like to take the opportunity to explain the difference.
A Master of Science degree, more commonly referred to as an MS degree, is a one-year degree specialized in a specific subject. For example, the Kelley School of Business offers MS degrees in Accounting with Data and Analytics, Finance, Information Systems, Management, and Healthcare Management. These each are designed to give students deep skills in those specific fields rather than business broadly. The target audience of an MS degree is usually students who have just graduated or have one to two years of experience but are looking to make an early career change. An MS degree is perfect for a student who wants to work in a field that does not directly align with their major or who wants to break into a specific industry.
IU provides all students access to an amazing program called Forage, which provides you with opportunities to do a virtual, real-life job simulation! You can do them at your own pace and learn about a variety of different roles in a huge number of companies.
It’s the perfect way to answer these questions:
Once you complete the simulation you get a brief description that tells you how to include the simulation on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
Take some time to focus on your career…Forage ahead!